There are enough attractions in the legendary area of Lombardy to make a trip away from the capital enjoyable. At the foot of the Rhaetian Alps, there’s a stunning, unique environment in addition to the historical and artistic heritage of the nearby communities (link to article “What to see near Milan”). The area is home to many impressive lakes that are sculpted by the high alpine mountains. And the most well-known of them is Lake Como, which is only an hour’s drive north of Milan.
The massive Lake Como, which has an inverted “Y” shape and is encircled by tall, forested mountains, has served as an inspiration to countless artists and writers throughout history. Some of the most opulent villas in the world can be found there today. Rich people and celebrities like George Clooney choose to vacation here because of its close proximity to Milan, the financial hub of Italy, its pure air, and its serene surroundings.
But Lake Como is much more than that. It is peppered with quaint, proud towns like Bellagio, often known as the Pearl of Lake Como, and the vibrant town of Como, which gave rise to the lake. There are numerous other cities and villages that contribute to the specialness of this area.
Things to do and see in Lake Como
Exploring the route that encircles Lake Como is a great opportunity to get to know the lake. You will be able to appreciate and take in all of the landscape’s beauty as well as be mesmerized by the opulence and elegance of its mansions and villas if you do this.
Take a tour of Lake Como’s finest villas by driving around it.
Assuming we’re leaving from Como, we can have a leisurely day excursion by vehicle to see some of the most exquisite lakeside residences. A brief overview of this location’s numerous palaces and villas may be found by reading on.
Two of the finest palaces are located in Como. The province government’s current headquarters are located in Villa Gallia, and Villa Olmo is the most significant emblem of Como. The latter is surrounded by elegant Italian gardens and faces the lake. Villa Olmo, one of the most significant examples of Lombard neoclassical architecture, was constructed in 1728. Art exhibitions are held in its modernist rooms nowadays.
The luxurious Villa Erba is located in Cernobbio, the municipality just north of Olmo. This 19th-century palace was constructed as a showpiece of a Lombard businessman’s financial might. It serves as a meeting and exposition center these days. The opulent Villa D’Este, which was built as a royal home in the sixteenth century, is also located in this neighborhood.
The Villa del Balbianello is located on the fringes of the municipality of Lenno, a few kilometers farther north. It’s among the lake region’s most picturesque palaces. In actuality, this is where parts of movies like “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones” and “Casino Royale,” starring James Bond, were filmed. The magnificent hanging gardens of the palace, which was constructed in 1787 for Cardinal Angelo Durini, are its most outstanding feature. Only on Tuesdays and weekends is it accessible by foot; to get there, you must travel one kilometer from the village of Lenno. On other days of the week, it is accessible from the town itself via water taxi (at an additional cost).
Views of the magnificent Lake Como
Heading north, Villa Carlotta, one of Lake Como’s most exquisite mansions, is located in Tremezzo. Constructed in the 17th century, this villa underwent restoration to serve as Princess Marianne of Prussia’s wedding present to her daughter Carlotta in 1843. Antonio Canovas’ sculptures, among other noteworthy pieces of art, are on show in the palace’s significant collection. With azaleas in blossom and a riot of color in the spring, its botanical garden is particularly lovely.
In the Bellagio municipality, across the lake from Villa Carlotta, sits Villa Melzi, a somber neoclassical mansion that houses an intriguing collection of ancient artifacts. The exquisitely tended gardens are yet another attraction.
You can visit Villa Monastero in the village of Varenna, which is located further north and on the opposite side of the lake. Between the 17th and the 19th centuries, the affluent Mornico family used this old monastery as a sizable private home. One of the garden’s most well-known features is a potentially 400-year-old magnolia. The palace’s interior is particularly stunning since Spanish leather was used to coat the walls to keep them dry.
Boat trip in Lake Como
A comprehensive system of hydrofoil and ferry services connects all of the major towns around Lake Como. Navigazione Lago di Como runs the routes, and all of the villages close to the port have ticket offices. Additionally, purchasing a day ticket entitles you to unlimited ferry rides from Bellagio to the lake’s three main towns: Varenna, Tremezzo, and Cadenabbia.
Hiring one of Barindelli’s opulent wood boats, which can accommodate up to 12 passengers per boat and circumnavigate the cape bearing the town’s name for an hour, is an additional option in Bellagio.
See the Lake Como settlements.
It’s worthwhile to make stops at some of the more fascinating settlements along the way in addition to taking a road or water route around the lake. Allow yourself to be taken aback by their extraordinary surroundings, cuisine, customs, and creative splendor. There are many reasons to appreciate these villages, including the lovely ambiance that envelopes them in fog and the warm microclimate that the lake provides, despite the Alps’ close proximity.
The Como City
Como is the most significant town in the region, home to more over 86,000 people. The town’s restored portions of its medieval city walls from the 12th century are one of its main attractions. Not to be overlooked is the Duomo, a stunning basilica with three naves that was constructed starting in the fourteenth century and completed with a dome in 1740. The Palazzo Comunale, a 13th-century structure made of white, pink, and grey marble, is located in Piazza del Duomo.
You can ride the funicular railway up to the little settlement of Brunate from Piazza de Gasperi. The trip is well worth it for the breathtaking vistas of Como and its lake.
A Bellagio
Important remnants of historic fortifications show that Bellagio was a highly contested strategic enclave for ages due to its advantageous location in the middle of the lake. These days, it’s among Lake Como’s most stunning locations, offering stunning vistas, a labyrinth of winding stone staircases, cypress forests, and opulent gardens.
One of Bellagio’s primary draws is Villa Serbelloni. It is claimed that Pliny the Elder vacationed in this historic mansion during the Roman era. Encircled by an expansive 20-hectare garden filled with olive trees and laurel leaves, the current, early 19th-century structure is owned by the Rockefeller Foundation and serves as a home to international university students.
Varenna
From Bellagio you can reach the small town of Varenna, with a population of no more than 900, by boat. It’s a fishing village with two interesting churches, one from the 12th and the other from the 13th century, good, affordable restaurants, and a castle with spectacular views of the lake.
Menaggio
On the other shore of Lake Como, opposite Varenna, is Menaggio, a very popular tourist town of over 3,000 inhabitants, with many hotels, campsites, apartments, youth hostels, and residential properties.
Cernobbio
Cernobbio is located next to the town of Como. With around 7,000 residents, it boasts several of the most beautiful villas on the lake: Villa D’Este, Villa Erba (already mentioned), and Villa Pizzo, a heavily restored 16th-century palace with a magnificent display of 17th century frescoes.
From Cernobbio starts a demanding but beautiful hiking route: the Via dei Monti Lariani, which climbs over 1,200 metres and offers unique panoramic views of the area.
